Chapter 29, Tony Stumbles and Fall
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A Better Pair of Shoes, a novel
Chapter 29
Tony Stumbles and Fall
To start the book now, use the link:
A Better Pair of Shoes, a novel
Chapter 29
Tony Stumbles and Fall
She’d been hanging around the club quite a bit. I couldn’t help but notice her. She was tall and alluring, and her presence
was bold and menacing. She always showed
up alone and never left with anyone— week after week. She just seemed to really appreciate the
music and the arts. I did notice several
regulars try to get to know her, and even took residence at her table from time
to time, but she never seemed to blink or even appeared to be flattered by
their company. She smiled and made polite
talk, but nothing. Eventually, I thought
maybe I would give it a shot. I guess
it’s just the male instinct to want to get in on the sport. I knew I wasn’t trying to get into anything,
but I decided to stick my head in.
I usually looked in on all the action in the club from my
window upstairs and hardly ever went down.
On this night however, I already knew that if she would show up, I would
join her. Suddenly, just after ten, I
spotted her. Her sway was definitely
intentional and sent waves through the large room, but up until now, it was
still unknown what it was after. I
looked in for another few minutes to see if things were favorable for me to
join her. On this night she was wearing
one heck of a clinger; her hair was loose and full of curls, which she had
directed to one side. Her lips were
painted pink. I expected a few of the
guys to start making their way over pretty soon, so I planned to make my
approach quickly. The room was full and
had no empty tables. She made her way to
the bar, and I took the stairs. My plan
was to introduce myself as the owner, and chat for a while on my way around to
welcome and thank some of the guests for coming out. Pretty simple I thought. Surely, that wouldn’t be a crime. So, I was sure to begin doing so before
arriving at the bar. Eventually, I made
my way beside her. Her smell was
mesmerizing and enchanting.
“Hi there.” I
extended my hand.
“I’m Tony, owner of Sax—thank you for coming out
tonight.”
“Oh, it’s a great spot!
I always have a great time.” She
smiled.
“Come often?”
“At least twice a week.”
She sat now with her back to the bar.
“Nice. Well, don’t
keep us a secret.” I quickly made note
of the fact that she did come alone.
“I won’t.
Sometimes a Lady just needs to unwind alone.” She had a way of talking and smiling at the
same time.
“Well, tell you what.
Give me your name, and I’ll have it added to our frequent guest
list. If you call ahead, we can reserve
you a nice spot.”
“Oh, for sure. I
would love that. It’s Reece.”
“As a matter of fact, I’ll get you one of our cards to
fill out. I’ll get it to you before you
leave.” I kept my curiosity in line with
the club culture, as to not cause any wandering eyes to make my extended stop a
point of interest.
Two weeks later
Aisha decided to surprise me on one of my slow
nights. I heard a light knock on my
office door, and I looked up to find my wife standing there, looking so sweet,
and yet malicious. I couldn’t fake it; I
was pretty surprised to see her at the club in the middle of the week. Lately, she was super swamped with work and
school. I quickly jumped up to greet her
and let her know how much I welcomed the surprise. She was dressed securely; like she came to
see me, and not necessarily to send a message to any of the women at the
club. I quickly pulled her close, and
kissed her passionately. I held her hand,
and led her over to my desk where I continued to kiss her. I sat on the front of my desk, with one foot
on the floor, and another dangling side-ways.
“It’s good to see you.
We keep missing each other lately.”
I was no doubt on a cloud.
“I know… I’m sorry Tony.
What can I say? It’s been really
challenging, but I’m always thinking of you.”
I could feel the weight of her emotions, and her sincerity.
“So, will you stay for the next set?”
“I can.”
“Cool.” I led her
out, and we made our way down. We took a
table near the stage, and one of my staff quickly came over to greet her and
get us some drinks. Just then, I noticed
Reece at one of the tables across the floor, joined by a couple. I assumed they were her guests. I didn’t look long enough to get her
attention, and instead stayed focus on Aisha, and the gift of her
presence. We held hands above the table,
and kept glimpsing back and forth at each other. A few times, we each stolen kisses, and I
tried to get her to promise she’d answer my advances when I finally made it
home. I knew I could have taken
advantage of the moment then, but I enjoyed making love to my wife more than
just having sex.
That Friday
I had gotten up from my desk where I was focus on some
business emails, and decided to glance around the club. Reece was again sitting at the bar. I assumed that was her preference, since I
had surely added her name to our list. I
thought about stopping by to say hello, but then I thought… “What are you
doing? You have a beautiful; amazing
lady at home.” And although that was
true, I found myself at the bottom of the stairs, and walking towards the bar. She sat on the side of the bar opposite the
door, and to the back side of the large room— only ten or twelve feet from the
place where I was standing. I scanned
the room, and everyone appeared to be preoccupied. It gave way for me to slip into the fairly
dark space with little to no reaction.
“Hi Reece. Welcome
back. How’s it going?” I leaned in.
“Beautiful.” She
responded loudly while bobbing her head and swaying to the music.
“Where’s Aisha?”
Reece blurted out.
“Excuse me?” I was
caught off guard and baffled all at once.
“Is that your wife?”
She asked, but I did not answer.
“Should we step outside?”
I motioned and began heading for the door. I didn’t look back, but I assumed Reece was
in the rear. I got to the outside, and
took a few steps along the perimeter of the club, as to find a secure place to
speak with Reece. When I finally turned
around, she was just a few steps behind, and I awaited her anxiously. As soon as she got within private speaking
distance, I began with my questioning.
“How do you know my wife?” I was serious, and no longer enchanted by the
beautiful woman.
“A long time ago we worked together.” Reece’s tone said… “It’s no big deal, but the air said differently.”
“I thought about coming over to say hi on Wednesday, but
I didn’t want to interrupt.” She went
on.
“We’ve all come such a long way.”
“I’m sorry, is there something you need to say? I’m not one for games.” I could feel my fury building at the thought
that Reece had somehow strategically gotten my attention.
“Funny, it didn’t appear that way the first time we
met.” And just then I knew I was dead
on.
“Speak and get it over with.” I demanded
“Well, people are talking you know.”
“Talking about what?”
“Just ask around inside.
They’ll tell you?” Reece smiled
and just like that; she was gone. I
walked back into the club which was my second home, and the many eyes suddenly
following me— let me know that, there had in fact been an intrusion. I didn’t know which smiling face was a
hypocritical one, or which conversation may be pertaining to me and my
wife. It was now clear to me, that all
those nights Reece sat alone; attracting bodies; she was really infecting the
atmosphere with whatever it was she knew about my wife.
At the end of the night, when my manager came up with the
receipts, I sat him down to see what it was that people were supposedly talking
about.
“Hey man… grab a seat for a sec. I wanted to talk to you.” I directed Pete.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
Pete and I were cool, and Aisha and I had even visited with him and his
family on a couple of holidays.
“Is there something I need to know?”
“About?” Pete
appeared puzzled, but not clueless.
“My wife.” I was
done pulling teeth, and I just needed to get this dark into the light once and
for all.
“Look Tony… I don’t know what’s going on. I heard a couple of the guys talking about
her being a dancer or something like that.”
“Dancer. What do
you mean? You know as well as I do, that
she’s a professor.”
“Not now, you know… before.” Pete clarified.
“What guys?” I
deflected.
“It’s quite a bit of people buzzing about it right
now. Actually…” Pete restrained himself.
“Actually what Pete?”
I looked with a sincere plea for him to level with me.
“It’s pretty bad.
The rumor is that she was doing more than just dancing.”
“What? No. No, no, no…. God, don’t do this.” I laid my head flat on my desk, and held the
back of my head. After a few minutes I
lifted my head, and saw that Pete’s head was also hanging down.
“Thanks man.
You’re good to go. I’ll take care
of the rest of this.” I picked up the
box with the papers Pete had come to bring to me.
“Look Tony… I’m sorry.”
Pete stood, and began his way to the door.
“I appreciate you. I’ll lock up.” I said now standing at the window and with my
back towards Pete. I stood until
suddenly I couldn’t stand. The news had
brought me to my knees.
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